Gate mechanism.



E. P. JONES.

GATE MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 10. 1915.

Patented Nov. 16, 1915.

almwm COLUMBIA PLANOBRAPH cm, WASHINGTON. n. c.

ELMER P. JONES, OF BOWLING GREEN, OHIO.

GATE MECHANISM.

AppIic-ation filed April 10, 1915. Serial No. 20,498.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ELMER JONES, a

citizen of the United States, residing at Bowling Green, in the county of Wood and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Gate Mechanism, of which the followingis a specification.

My present invention relates. to certain new and useful improvements in gate latch mechanism and more particularly to an improved gate latch of the gravity type; and the principal and most important object of the present invention is to provide a device of the above character which includes means for supporting the same in an operative position, irrespective of the position of the gate member.

, Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved latch'of the foregoing naturewhich is so formed whereby it is normally held in anoperative position so that it may be readily engaged by the gate, locking the same in a secure position and preventing further movement reason of the fact that theentire weight of the latch bears against the adjacent edge of the gate.

A further object, ofv this; invention is to provide a device ofthe type in question that is extremely simplein construction, and which, it isbelieved, may be manufactured at a comparatively low cost.

The above and other objects are accomplished bysuch means as are shown in their preferred form in the accompanying drawings, described in the following specification, and then more specifically pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings wherein like characters designate like parts throughout the several views; Figure l'is a front elevation of a gate structure illustrating my invention in correlation therewith. Fig. 2 is a vertical plan view of the structure shown in Fig. 1 illustrating the latch supporting post in cross section. Fig. 3 is a perspec tive view of the improved latch means.

The gate, in connection with which my invention has been illustrated, is of that type now in general use, yet it is to be understood that the application of my invention is not limited to this specific structure and that the improved latch mechanism may be used in connection with any desirable form of gate if it is so desired.

In the drawings, I have shown a supporting' post A of the usual construction which Specification of Letters Patent.

vture hereinafter described.

Patented Nov. 16, 1915.

is provided with'spaced apart brackets 10 in order to eiilciently support the gate struc- This supportlng post may be formed of anysuitable or desirable material it being understood that such changes will not deviate from the spirit and scope of my invention.

The gate structure illustrated comprises a rectangular frame 11 supporting asection of reticulated material 12. The frame of the gate structure extends through the respective brackets 10, the latter forming suitable. bearings for supporting; the gate during the opening and closing'movement thereof. In connectionwith this gate structure, I

have illustrated a second post B designed to support the improved latch mechanism. As

set forth above thispost may be constructed of any desirable material and that such changes of material will not deviate from the spirit and scope of'my invention.

7 For thepurpose of accommodating the latch means, the post B. is provided with an intermediate opening 18 which communicates :with the respective sides thereof as shown. Cut-out portions 19 are further provided which are arranged adjacentthe upper terminus of the opening and which receive certain portions of the latch mechanism as willhereinafter appear. I

pivot member 20 is journaled transversely through the post B and extends through the opening 18 adjacent its lower terminus. A latch operating member 21 is secured to the pin 20 sov that it is normally held in pivoted relation with the post.

Spacing members 21 are arranged. on the pivotedmember 20 and at each side of the member 21in order to space the latter from. the adjacent walls of the opening. Upon reference toFigl 1 of the drawing, it will.

be recognized that the pivot point of the member 21 is adjacent its lower edge, and that the, portion thereof above the pivot point will act as an operating means for the latch, in order to normally hold the same in connection with the gate structure. In its normal position, the lower face 22 of the operating member rests upon the lower wall 23 of the opening in order to hold the latch, (which will be presently described) in an operative position so that it will effectually engage the gate structure during the return movement thereof.

A latch member 24 is further provided which has depending therefrom at an angle,

an elongated extension 25. Arms 26lradiate from the respective ends of the latch member, the front edges of which are bevout portions 19 of the post in the manner' shown-clearly in Fig. 2. c p

When the gate structure is in a closed position; the latch member will be securely held in engagement therewith by the weight of the upper end of the member 21, which member is at this time out of engagement with the lower wall 23 of the opening 18. However when the gate is to be opened the operator by grasping one of the arms 26 may force theupperend of the member 21 rearwardly and thus permit the gate to move. Upon the releasementfof pressure on the arms 26 the member 21 will fall by action of gravity until it engages the lower "wall 23 of the opening 18. 'In this latter position the member 21 will support the arms 26in a position whereby they may be readily engaged bythe gate upon its return movement.

The member 21 and the latch member may be constructed of any suitable or desirable material, yet it is advisable that the member 2l-be constructed of metal so that it will elfectually operate the latch'member in the manner set forth above. j

Finally I desire it to be understood that while the form of my invention illustrated herein as the preferred form'is the most efficient, yet certain conditions will necessarily'vary inconcurrence with the adoption ofmy device and it is understood that various minor changes in the details of construction and proportion of parts may be resorted to when required without sacrificing, any of the advantages of my invention asdefined in the appended claims.

- Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

Copies of this patent maybe obtained for the lower wall of said opening, a latch mem-V ber, an extension'depending from said latch member and secured to said operating memher, arms extending from said latch member, said arms being constricted toward their outer free extremities, said latch member provided with a central cut-out portion, the

i said support having opposite cut-out portions formed therein for receiving said arms, substantially as described.

2. A gate'latch of the character described including the combination with a swinging ate structure and a suaaort arran ed in i proximity thereto, said support having an opening formed therein, an operating mem ber arranged within said opening, said operating member being of substantially triangular" shape inside elevation, a pin 'journaled through said support and pivotally supportingsaid operating member, the pivot point'of said operating member being arrangedrearwardlyof the center of gravity thereof, a latch member,- an'extension formed on said latch member and fixed to the front face of said operating; member, said latch member hav ng laterally extending arms, said arms being constricted tOWaIClllllGlI outer free extremities whereby when said body' structure is moved into engagement with said latch member, the forward portion of the lower face of said operating member will be withdrawn from engagement with" the lower wall of said opening,

the entire weight of said operating member bearing against said gate structurefas and for the purpose set forth anddescribed. In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses. a

' ELMER P. JONES. Witnesses V JONATHAN E. LADD, BEnNIonFnnDERIcK.

five centsiea'ch,by-addressing the Commissioner of Patents. 4 Washington, 13.0. r 

